Speaker Magnet Lid Closure With Hall Sensor Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently reusing and recycling components of portable information handling systems, particularly those containing rare earth elements like magnets, which are difficult to access and have a high carbon footprint, and in accurately assessing the wear and tear of components like hinges and keyboards to predict remaining life and ensure compatibility with replacement parts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a standardized speaker format with a magnet that holds the housing in a closed position and using a Hall sensor for detection, along with automated speaker type identification through coil and magnet characteristics, to facilitate reuse and recycling across different platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If speakers with magnets are installed in information handling systems, then audio functionality is provided, but the system contains rare earth elements that are difficult to access and have high carbon footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker magnet serves dual functions: generating audio output and acting as a closure magnet to hold the lid to the base. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate closure magnets containing rare earth elements, reducing overall rare earth content and carbon footprint while maintaining audio functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the audio speaker function with the housing closure function by integrating the speaker magnet into the dual-purpose role of both audio output generation and mechanical closure retention, thereby reducing the total quantity of rare earth elements required in the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate housing portions are used to enable convertible configurations, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker magnet performs multiple functions including audio output, closure retention, and closure position detection. This consolidates several functions into a single component, reducing overall device complexity despite the presence of multiple housing portions for convertible configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables the lid to be held to the base and detected without direct mechanical contact or additional complex mechanical locking structures, simplifying the overall housing structure while maintaining convertible functionality.
3Reliability
If closure position detection is implemented, then system control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker magnet simultaneously provides audio output, closure retention, and closure position detection capabilities. This eliminates the need for separate detection mechanisms such as additional magnets, sensors, or mechanical switches, thereby improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker magnet inherently provides closure position detection through its magnetic field interaction with the lid, without requiring external detection infrastructure. The system leverages the existing speaker component's magnetic properties for dual purposes, achieving reliable detection without adding complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient reuse and recycling of speakers and other components by ensuring compatibility and reducing the need for rare earth elements, while also enabling automated configuration and position detection, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of information handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet of the speaker is aligned with a ferromagnetic piece in the housing lid portion to bias the housing to a closed position
Implementation Method 2
a Hall sensor aligned with the speaker magnet detects the housing closed and open positions
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system housing biases to the closed position by attracting a piece of ferromagnetic material disposed in a lid housing portion to a magnet in a speaker disposed in a main housing portion. A Hall sensor proximate the ferromagnetic material detects the speaker magnet in the closed position and communicates open or closed position detection through a flexible cable and hinge to an embedded controller in the main housing for execution of logic associated with open and closed positions, such as ACPI sleep and wake states.